The University of Florida women's basketball team used a 25-2 run early in the second half to extend a 19-point first-half lead to a 76-36 victory over Fordham in the season-opener for both teams. The 40-point win marked the seventh consecutive season-opening victory for the Lady Gators, who had four players score in double figures.
Senior Tombi Bell (Miami, FL) scored 15 of her team-high 21 points in the first half, while dishing nine assists along and tying her career-high with seven steals.
"Tombi Bell did an outstanding job tonight on both ends of the floor," UF head coach Carol Ross said. "Having her and Brandi McCain on the floor on the same time allows both of them to control the tempo on both ends of the floor."
Junior Brandi McCain (Silsbee, TX) added 14 points, including nine in the second stanza. She also had six assists with five steals.
"As a coach I was a little concerned about taking the team on the road for our first game because you never know what to expect in a hostile gym," Ross said. "What impresses me most about this team is its ability to prepare and not play down to the level of its opponent. The defensive intensity tonight was outstanding. It really helped set the tone in the first half and gave us a comfortable lead."
Senior Tamara Stocks (Pickerington, OH) scored 15 points and grabbed a team-high eight rebounds while recording a career-high six steals.
Junior Monique Cardenas (Keystone Heights, FL) scored a career-high 13 points.
Freshman Vanessa Hayden (Orlando, FL) snared a game-high 12 rebounds along with seven points and three blocks.
UF recorded 23 steals in the game, surpassing the season-high of 20 stolen last year. The all-time record of 28 steals was set against Radford during the 1985 season.
The 36 points allowed was the fewest UF has surrendered since the 95-32 victory over Alabama State back on December 9, 1984.
After building a 21-7 lead during the first seven and a half minutes of the game, the Rams went on a 10-4 run over the next four minutes to get within eight points, 25-17. Neither team scored during the following four minutes, until Monique Cardenas hit a three-pointer from the left wing to spark an 11-0 UF swing and the Lady Gators took a 36-17 advantage. Fordham notched four quick points to cut UF's lead back to 15, but Bell hit a pair of free throws and Tamara Stocks hit a driving baseline layup to end the first half scoring with UF taking a 40-21 lead into the lockerroom.
During the decisive first half, the Lady Gators forced 19 turnovers, which they converted into 21 points. Bell led all scorers with 15 points, while collecting five of UF's 16 steals. She scored the first points of the season for the Lady Gators, hitting the team's first shot attempt to spark UF's 6-0 run to open the game.
The Lady Gators return to action on Tuesday, November 21, when they play host to instate rival Florida State in the O'Connell Center beginning at 7 p.m.. Admission is $3 for adults, while UF students and youth age 17 and under are free.
